Fatmir Besimi is currently the Minister of Finance to North Macedonia. prior to this, holding positions as Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia (2013-2016), Minister of Economy (2004-2006 and then 2008-2011) and Minister of Defence (2011-2013), as well as sitting on the National Security Council.
With a PhD in Economics, and global leadership programmes at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale, Fatmir Besimi named one of the World Economic Forum’s “Young Global Leaders” in 2010. He is currently a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
In the framework of his public and state functions, Besimi was leading several governmental projects and activities. As Minister of economy in the two mandates he was leading the following projects and initiatives: Business Environment Reform and Institutional Strengthening, project by the World Bank (2005-2010); Membership of the Republic of Macedonia in CEFTA (2006); Reforms in the energy sector, restructuring of the electricity company and privatization of the electricity distribution company (2004-2006); Founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (2009); Chairing the Energy Community of South-Eastern Europe (2010) and other strategies, projects and activities, as well as signing over ten international agreements and protocols. As Minister of defense he was participating in the adoption of the new formation of the Army of Republic of Macedonia in accordance with NATO standards, in the promotion of Smart Defense Concept in the regional cooperation as well as the adoption of the Defense Diplomacy Strategy, Communication Strategy, ARM Equal Representation Program (promotion of the equal representation of the ethnic communities as inclusive process promoting the diversity as advantage), Gender Equality Committee, transformation of the Military Museum in Museum for Peace, Defense and Security, establishment of “Gallery of Nobel Peace Prize Winners and ARM for Peace” and other initiatives. As Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Integration, Besimi is coordinating the EU Accession Process and he is National Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance Coordinator and other Financial Assistance with Development Partners.